Teaching German

News

Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro to meet Vladimir Putin in Russia

The Venezuelan president, who views Russia as a strategic ally, is ending his diplomatic efforts this year "with a flourish." The trip comes after Turkey pledged to help Venezuela with its economic crisis.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro left for Moscow late Monday ahead of an "important" meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

"Heading to Russia to hold an important work meeting with President Vladimir Putin," Maduro said on his Twitter account. "We will develop strategic issues for our countries within the framework of our Bolivarian Peace diplomacy and the construction of a multipolar world."

The Kremlin said the two leaders will meet in the Russian capital on Wednesday, according to the Interfax news agency.

Maduro said his meeting with Putin would allow him to close 2018 "with a flourish, in terms of strategic relations that Venezuela is building with the world." He added that he remained "in permanent contact" with the Russian leader.

Maduro has referred to Russia, which provides weapons, technology and other resources to Venezuela, as a "strategic ally."

Watch video01:29

Share

Venezuela dollar shops keep wealthy fed

Venezuela's dollar shops keep the wealthy well-fed

Looking for help

The trip comes after the Venezuelan leftist leader hosted Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday in Caracas. The two leaders reached a series of agreements, including ones that formalized the cooperation between their countries' state-run oil companies.

The US and other European countries have sanctioned Maduro's administration, which Venezuela's opposition lawmakers have accused of being corrupt at the people's expense, in an attempt to pressure Venezuela to return to its diplomatic ways. The US refused to recognize the result of Venezuela's elections earlier this year, which saw Maduro elected to a second six-year term.

Venezuela: What can a bolivar buy?

Millions for chicken

You will need to shell out a whopping 14.6 million bolivars ($2.2, €1.9) for a 2.4 kilogram chicken in Caracas.

Venezuela: What can a bolivar buy?

Expensive deal

A kilogram of tomato will set you back by 5 million bolivars.

Venezuela: What can a bolivar buy?

Serious crisis

Be ready to pay 2.6 million bolivars for a toilet paper roll in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. Yes, you read it right.

Venezuela: What can a bolivar buy?

Worthless currency?

Three-and-a-half millions — that's how much you will have to pay for a packet of sanitary pads in Caracas.

Venezuela: What can a bolivar buy?

Which is heavier?

One kilogram rice? Well, that will cost you 2.5 million bolivars.

Venezuela: What can a bolivar buy?

Is it worth?

A packet of diapers for your baby can you set you back by a staggering 8 million bolivars.

Venezuela: What can a bolivar buy?

Forget saying 'cheese'

You will have to cough up 7,500,000 bolivars for a kilogram of cheese. But hold on, that may change with the Venezuelan government set to issue new paper money with five fewer zeros. So, just 75 bolivars for a kilogram of cheese.